]]>Frustration Free Packaging Certificationhttps://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/frustration-free-packaging-certification/
Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:59:02 +0000https://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=10887WHAT IS IT? Frustration Free Packaging is Amazon’s certification process that states that all packaged items larger than 18″ x 14″ x 8″ or items that weight 20 lbs. or more sold through Amazon must be certified as ready-to-ship within a tier of the frustration free packaging program. This program is created to reduce waste

Frustration Free Packaging is Amazon’s certification process that states that all packaged items larger than 18″ x 14″ x 8″ or items that weight 20 lbs. or more sold through Amazon must be certified as ready-to-ship within a tier of the frustration free packaging program. This program is created to reduce waste for the consumer and create a more efficient way for Amazon to ship products.

WHAT ARE THE TIERS?

Frustration Free Packaging

Ships in own container (see below)

Curbside recyclable packaging materials

Easy-to-open

Minimal packaging

No Amazon preparation required

Minimal damage/defect rates

Ships in Own Container

Ships without Amazon over-box

No Amazon preparation required

Minimal damage/defect rates

Prep Free Packaging

Curbside recyclable packaging

Ship in product container

Minimize damage

Improve unboxing experience

Drop testing and vibration testing

Reduce waste minimize packaging

Easy to open

How Can Piedmont National Help?

Piedmont can help you reevaluate your packaging process and get certified through our partnership with Sealed Air.

Curbside recyclable packaging

Ship in product container

Minimize damage

Improve unboxing experience

Drop testing and vibration testing

Reduce waste minimize packaging

Easy to open

Contact us today!

]]>Shipping rate changes for 2018: How will your business be impacted?https://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/dim-weight-changes-2018/
Thu, 09 Nov 2017 18:38:55 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=8905FedEx announced freight increases with a potential major impact on the e-commerce industry. 70% of your total package cost in the e-commerce business is in freight and labor. Any changes in the market involving freight will affect the shipping costs and ultimately your business’ bottom line. Possibly the most impactful change in 2018 is the announcement that

]]>FedEx announced freight increases with a potential major impact on the e-commerce industry.

70% of your total package cost in the e-commerce business is in freight and labor. Any changes in the market involving freight will affect the shipping costs and ultimately your business’ bottom line. Possibly the most impactful change in 2018 is the announcement that FedEx will be adding DIM weight charges on last mile deliveries through SmartPost. This change will increase the shipping costs for every e-commerce business fulfilling local deliveries. Keep reading for specific information about these 2018 changes.

Effective January 2018, FedEx Corp. announced it will increase shipping rates on FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight by an average of 4.9%. The changes will impact the following:

Express package and freight standard list rates for U.S., U.S. export, and U.S. import services

FedEx Ground and Home Delivery standard list rates

FedEx Freight rates

Furthermore, FexEx announced that it will begin applying a dimensional weight (DIM) factor of 139 (changed from 166) to all SmartPost packages. This is potentially the most impactful change for 2018, especially for e-commerce businesses, aligning SmartPost DIM weight pricing with FedEx Express & FedEx Ground. This change also more closely aligns FedEx SmartPost DIM pricing with that of UPS SurePost, although UPS still has a higher DIM factor for packages measuring less than one cubic foot. As of this writing, UPS has not announced its 2018 rate changes.

Comparing the 2017 non-dimensionalized rate to the new 2018 dimensionalized rates will show the impact of this change. The percentage cost increase is significant and illustrates why the 4.9% announced average should be taken with a grain of salt and why changes to DIM pricing are often more impactful than other changes.

In addition, there will be changes to FedEx surcharges and other fees, also effective in January. Notable among the changes for 2018 include:

The addition of a Third-Party Billing Surcharge of 2.5% of the total shipment charge for any shipment billed to a third party. The charge will apply to FedEx Express and Ground U.S. and international shipments. This more closely aligns FedEx with UPS.

The Additional Handling Surcharge for U.S. and international express will now apply to any package that measures greater than 48 inches on its longest side, which is a change from 60 inches in 2017.

The minimum net charge for a ground package will increase to $7.58 from $7.25.

Changes have also been made to some of the more common surcharges, along with the percentage increase. As in recent years, the largest increases continue to be reserved for those surcharges related to package size and dimensions. As previously stated, it remains to be seen what changes are in store for UPS in 2018.

A thorough audit of your business’ packaging can keep you ahead of the game when it comes to these DIM weight changes and increases in freight charges. Optimizing your packaging using innovative, cost-saving solutions to decrease this potential impact can be found through analyzing your current processes and materials usage. Contact your Piedmont National sales representative today to stay ahead of the curve.

]]>Where Packaging Automation Meets Affordable- Copackaging and Third Party Logisticshttps://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/where-packaging-automation-meets-affordable/
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:28:18 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=8306 In the last few years those 3PL's can no longer can simply calculate their current cost of materials, storage, transportation and labor and add a few percent for profit and quote a price. The 3PL's now must automate like never before to minimize labor and increase efficiencies in order to generate their trading margin.

]]>It’s no secret many companies outsource products for secondary copacking operations. These companies realize that they see benefits in concentrating on the manufacturing of widgets by outsourcing the kitting, copacking, and distribution to the Third Party Logistics Companies (3PL’s) and contract packaging companies. In the last few years those 3PL’s can no longer simply calculate their current cost of materials, storage, transportation and labor and because of this they will increase the price by a small percent to account for profit and then quote a price.

These 3PL’s now must automate like never before to minimize labor and increase efficiencies in order to generate their trading margin. To make things more difficult, they are faced with seeking “just enough” automation, meaning as a contract packager they can’t always automate to the level of a manufacturer. Instead, they have to remain more flexible than their competition, a manufacturer that runs the same widget day in and day out. The current copacking providers that are responding in this way to the market are flourishing.

What additions can your copackaging operation make to increase efficiency?

Lantech Q300XT (saves time because the forklift driver doesn’t have to exit the fork truck)

Label applying machines (is able to print and apply many different size labels)

Case erecting equipment (works with many different size cases and is not tied to a single customer)

Conveyors on casters (allows equipment to be movable to different lines)

Tape machines (creates a more efficient process and saves money in material waste)

Benefits of automation in a copackaging environment:

Save time and money on labor

Reduce material waste

Better material yield

Increased throughput

Piedmont National’s packaging experts offer solutions and guide our customer’s to packaging perfection. We utilize a full scope of assets and initiate connections and relationships that support our customer’s initiatives. Contact your Piedmont National sales consultant today to learn more about how we can inspire greatness in your company’s packaging processes.

By John Fisher

]]>Packaging in the 21st centuryhttps://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/21st-century-packaging/
Thu, 29 Jun 2017 19:03:28 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=8215Seventeen years ago we leapt into a century of unimaginable advances and some of us, although we may be slow to admit it, are just now catching up. In the world of sales, nurturing relationships with customers is everything. The 21st century introduced a wave of digital technology that helps businesses maintain and manage those relationships. Among these

Seventeen years ago we leapt into a century of unimaginable advances and some of us, although we may be slow to admit it, are just now catching up. In the world of sales, nurturing relationships with customers is everything. The 21st century introduced a wave of digital technology that helps businesses maintain and manage those relationships. Among these tools are CRM systems, online ordering systems, email marketing tools, cloud-based data systems, etc. Many of us fear that technology such as this will take away those relationships and any edge we had against our competitors. Some of us are quick to grimace every time we hear the words “our company is switching to a new system!” but, before that happens, do we even take the time to learn that system and its benefits? In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of an online ordering system.

A great place for any company interested in taking the leap into the future of technology and business is to set up an online ordering system. An example of a system like this is Shopfront, which allows companies to manage the relationships they have while simplifying the entire ordering process for the customer. A customer now has the ability to place an entire order on their own with the few clicks of a button; eliminating human error and adding to the time they can spend on more important things (like that ever-important relationship!) With unique features such as order history, businesses will now be able to confidently answer the dreaded question “where’s my order?” without having to frantically search through emails and paper files. You’ve now given yourself a leg up against your competitor by adding a new technology to your packaging resources.

Online Order Entry helps to:

Save Time

Save Money

Eliminate Error

Organize Products

Reorder products quickly and efficiently

Eliminate waste

Online ordering systems are a simple technology that can be customized to your needs and will help to streamline the ordering process. What can your business do to join the 21st century?

]]>The e-commerce industry is evolving faster than ever. E-commerce business owners who are packaging and shipping high volumes of products must take into account customer experience, damage reduction, packaging performance & operational throughput. Optimizing these elements is key to success. The Texwrap Auto-Mailer 2410 is the perfect solution for the e-commerce industry. It creates ready-to-ship custom-sized mail packages for high-demand e-commerce businesses. It is a high-speed solution for high-volume packaging, working significantly faster than manual operations. This “smart” auto-mailer completely manages end-of-line mailer fulfillment at a rate of 20 packs per minute.

The Auto-Mailer 2410 makes it easy to ship and mail your product; it manages order ID’s through a packaging system via communication with the business’ ERP/WMS system and can integrate with multi-carrier shipping software. The system also gathers and reports data on capabilities, exceptions, and more. Your company will increase throughput, decrease DIM weight freight costs, and create rite-size mailers that save up to 50% on material costs.

At Piedmont National, we offer innovative end-of-line packaging solutions that help your business succeed. The Texwrap Auto-Mailer 2410 will make your product packaging and shipment process faster, more efficient, and more cost effective.

]]>Semi-Automatic Case Formers: Breaking the Law of Diminishing Returnshttps://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/breaking-the-law-of-diminishing-returns/
Fri, 09 Jun 2017 13:00:16 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=7978By: Mike Rann, Equipment Specialist Case Sealer 1 Case Sealer 2 What happens when your packaging process enters what economists call the Law of Diminishing Returns? This economic law states, per Google search, there is a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or

By: Mike Rann, Equipment Specialist

Case Sealer 1

Case Sealer 2

What happens when your packaging process enters what economists call the Law of Diminishing Returns? This economic law states, per Google search, there is a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested.

In other words, your business has grown from a few boxes a day to several hundred, or you are running several thousand boxes per day and it’s time to add a new line. However, the plant is not ready to expand, or cannot due to current zoning, corporate management’s overall business strategy, or it’s just not feasible. Thus, the remedy to the problem must have a small footprint and provide a quick pay-back (under 12 months preferably but no more than 18). You want to do more with less – meaning you need less operators but get more product out the door.

A quick and reliable solution is a semi-automatic case former (aka semi-auto case erector). These machines come in two models: a pneumatic case former and a combo unit of case former and auto case sealer. The first one uses pneumatics to fold and hold all four bottom flaps so the operator can pack directly into the box. Once the case is packed, the operator either folds the top flaps and pushes the box into the case sealer for top and bottom taping or the operator pushes the box into a fully-auto case sealer that automatically folds the top 4 flaps and applies tape to the top and bottom of the box.

The second unit is a combination of the case former and fully-auto case sealer. In this instance the operator also opens the box and, instead of placing the case into a cavity that requires air to fold the box, this equipment uses a device that looks similar to an ironing board or an i-beam/t-rail. The operator will allow the t-rail to fold the bottom leading minor flap while folding the bottom trailing flap. The two bottom major flaps overhang the i-beam. The width of the t-rail is just an inch under the minimum box’s case width. This allows the box to hang over the rail with the minor flaps closed for packing. After the case is packed, the operator folds the top rear minor flap and pushes the box into the extended side belts that drives the case into the top plow folding the three remaining top flaps while the bottom guides fold the bottom major flaps allowing tape to be applied to the top and bottom of the case.

The benefit of each unit is both have a small footprint and can be easily added to a new or existing conveyor line. The first case former described requires air and a case sealer. It’s footprint is around 42” in length and connected with a standard semi-automatic case sealer or taper the total footprint is just over 80”. When combing the case former with a fully-auto case sealer the footprint is just over 100”. The second case former & sealer combo previously mentioned is just under 80” in length. It does not require clean pneumatic air. It is purely mechanical.

As for the price of each case former, it all depends if you already have a case sealer. If you already have a taper, then the first case former is the least expensive of the two. If not, then the combo case former & sealer is less than an individual case former and sealer. The payback on each case former is under 12 months with a minimum 500 boxes per day.

Now the question you must ask yourself, are you ready to break the law? (The Law of Diminishing Returns that is…) If so, Piedmont National Corporation is ready to be your accomplice. Learn more about case formers here.

]]>When should you buy a Case Sealer?https://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/when-should-you-buy-a-case-sealer/
Wed, 28 Sep 2016 15:30:30 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=7600By: Mike Rann, Equipment Specialist In any facility there are some packaging positions that will require an operator based on footprint/ space constraints, inconsistent product volume or changes, actual product and/or budgetary constraints. In these instances, when looking to automate another quick solution is a case sealer. Depending on the type of case sealer, this

In any facility there are some packaging positions that will require an operator based on footprint/ space constraints, inconsistent product volume or changes, actual product and/or budgetary constraints. In these instances, when looking to automate another quick solution is a case sealer.

Depending on the type of case sealer, this machine can be very versatile and perform more than one function. For instance, a uniform side belt case sealer can be used to tape the bottom of a box first and then that same box once packed can be run again through the same machine for top only taping.

Case sealers come in two varieties:

Semi-automatic – operator presents (folds the major and minor flaps) the box to the machine while the machine tapes either top and bottom, top only or bottom only of the box.

Fully-automatic – usually a powered conveyor feeds the box into the machine. The machine will fold the top minor and major flaps then applies tape to both the top and bottom or top only to the box. In addition to electricity, these case sealers require air to assist in folding the flaps.

Within these two varieties of case sealers are two different versions:

Uniform or manually adjustable – meaning the operator is required to adjust for any variety of box sizes by manually changing the box width and height. A uniform application consists of boxes running in batches of the same size.

Random – just as the name describes. Machine automatically adjusts itself based on the individual box width and height. To make this adjustment, usually requires either air or a servo motor. The most common applications are primarily distribution centers, 3rd Party Logistics organizations and contract packagers (they use temp labor and don’t want operators adjusting the machines).

To determine which taper best fits your application depends on 3 questions:

What are the box sizes and packed weights?

How many cases per minute?

What type of packing line application, uniform or random?

A uniform semi-automatic case sealer begins to pay for itself in as little as 250-300 boxes per day over a 12 month period. One should see an increased efficiency and decrease in tape costs. An operator on average will use 30% more tape to tape a box (double strips, various tab lengths, etc.) than a machine (between 2-1/2” or 2-1/4”). In addition, machine length tape comes in 1000 yd., 1500 yd., and 2000 yd. rolls as compared to hand tape which is 110yd. Finally, a uniform semi-automatic machine can usually tape a box between 10-15 cases per minute (based on the operator’s dexterity) where an operator on average usually takes 20 seconds to open the box, turn upside and fold/tape the box, pack the box, and fold the top major/minor flaps then apply tape.

]]>Going Green: Facility Supplieshttps://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/going-green-facility-supplies/
Thu, 01 Sep 2016 18:27:09 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=7563When aiming to create a more sustainable business, simply using eco-friendly packaging is only part of the equation. To really commit to going green and to add value to your operation overall, consider bringing the eco solutions into the everyday operations of your business. Setting examples in the workplace by utilizing green products and encouraging

]]>When aiming to create a more sustainable business, simply using eco-friendly packaging is only part of the equation. To really commit to going green and to add value to your operation overall, consider bringing the eco solutions into the everyday operations of your business. Setting examples in the workplace by utilizing green products and encouraging your team to be more mindful about their usage, waste, and footprint on the environment will show your workers that you are committed to being a more sustainable business. Keep reading for more ways to bring your company towards a greener future.

Promote mindfulness

There are a lot of ways to promote mindfulness of the environment. Encourage your team to shut off lights and save power in small ways. Another great reminder is to add recycling bins to your break room so employees will be more conscious about the waste that they produce and how they dispose of it.

Look at all your options

There are always ways to be a little bit greener. Replacing paper towel rolls with an air dryer eliminates unnecessary waste and cost in buying rolls of paper towels. This small change can eliminate the additional cost of paper towels. Another option if you aren’t interested in air dryers is to replace your standard paper towels with recycled paper towels, a more sustainable option over traditional paper towels.

Substitute items you already use

All companies already purchase and use cleaners. Opting for eco-friendly or all-natural cleaners will not only be a better option for the environment, but also will help your employees to stay healthy without the chemicals that traditional cleaners involve. Changing out these items that are already being used every day will substantially increase your eco-friendliness over time for a small prince- if any!

]]>Going Green: Automationhttps://piedmontnational.com/knowledge-base/going-green-automation/
Thu, 01 Sep 2016 18:23:14 +0000http://piedmontnational.com/?post_type=knowledge-base&p=7561In the trend of going green, companies also have to asses the use of their equipment: how is the equipment that is being currently used affecting the environment, and what changes can be made to get the business closer to a more sustainable packaging processes through automation? In some cases answer to these questions are

]]>In the trend of going green, companies also have to asses the use of their equipment: how is the equipment that is being currently used affecting the environment, and what changes can be made to get the business closer to a more sustainable packaging processes through automation? In some cases answer to these questions are in introducing the right automation, which oftentimes can also result in a more cost-effective solution that happens to also be more environmentally sound.

With this in mind, companies must audit their operations for optimization — meaning companies must look for products and equipment that offer greater reliability and seamless integration with up and downstream production. Using the most efficient pieces of equipment will aid in decreasing the amount of time the machines are being run (saving in energy), decrease the amount of waste, and increase the eco-friendliness of the operation.

The benefits of a more sustainable packaging process are realized with an optimized combination of both the right product and automation. Automation plays a big role in being able to control and decrease the amount of product usage while simultaneously achieving greater throughput.

“Going green” is about the environment- but it’s also becoming about saving on the bottom line. Automation comes into play in that to be more sustainable, manufacturers must figure out how do more with less while being quicker and more efficient. These innovative solutions must be able to perform at the same level while lowering costs, decreasing footprint, curbing the amount of consumable use, and even reducing the amount of labor necessary.